With the 2025 NFL Draft only a week away, let's take one final peek at what happened a year ago.
FOX Sports Research recently put together their rankings of the top 10 picks from the 2024 NFL Draft, with the Chargers earning praise with a pair of players on the list. The Bolts were the only team to have two of their rookies mentioned.
Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz set the tone early with Joe Alt, who was stellar at right tackle for the Bolts last season and held it down from the jump on his way to earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
Fox Sports ranked the No. 5 overall pick as the ninth-best player of last year's class and the only offensive tackle to make the list.
They wrote:
In their first offseason at the wheel, general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh prioritized the line of scrimmage for the Chargers offense, and the Notre Dame product rewarded their faith in him. Starting all but one game at right tackle, the 6-foot-8 Alt ranked 19th among offensive tackles in overall grade (77.6), 24th in pass-blocking grade (79.4) and 31st in run-blocking grade (71.6), per PFF.
All of those grades ranked first among all rookie tackles in 2024, as the Bolts were able to secure a tackle for the future in Alt.
Jim Harbaugh was drafted in 1987 and went on to play 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback. Now at the helm of the Bolts, he's bringing that same passion and experience to his leadership role. Take a look back at the remarkable journey that shaped Harbaugh's path from the field to the sidelines.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 2000 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 2000 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
![The San Diego Chargers play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, October 29, 2000 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
[FINAL SCORE: OAK 15 - SD 13]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/hrwab5pquzeljjuuadcy.jpg)
The San Diego Chargers play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, October 29, 2000 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. [FINAL SCORE: OAK 15 - SD 13]
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
![The San Diego Chargers play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, October 29, 2000 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
[FINAL SCORE: OAK 15 - SD 13]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/chargers/i0xczwudbgznal9ugo9g.jpg)
The San Diego Chargers play the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, October 29, 2000 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. [FINAL SCORE: OAK 15 - SD 13]
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh is photographed during the 1999 NFL season.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Jim Harbaugh throws in the first quarter of a preseason game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Friday, Aug. 28, 1998. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh (12) passes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, FL, Sep. 11, 1994. The Buccaneers defeated the Colts 24-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh (12) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, FL, Sep. 11, 1994. The Buccaneers defeated the Colts 24-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, FL, Dec. 10, 1995. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 41-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Indianapolis Colts and AFC quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) scrambles against the NFC during the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, HI, Feb. 4, 1996. The NFC defeated the AFC 20-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4, AFC) makes a handoff pass to Kansas City Chiefs fullback Kimble Anders (38, AFC) during the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, HI, Feb. 4, 1996. The NFC defeated the AFC 20-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) prepares to throw a pass against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, WI, Nov. 5, 1989. The Packers defeated the Bears 14-13. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) prepares to receive the snap against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Chicago, IL, Dec. 13, 1992. The Bears defeated the Steelers 30-6. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (14) prepares to throw a pass during an NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Los Angeles, CA, Sep. 5, 1987. The Bears defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Kelvin Pritchett (94) and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) in action during an NFL game in Chicago, IL, Dec. 26, 1993. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) prepares to throw a pass with Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Pierce Holt (95) in pursuit in Chicago, IL, Oct. 3, 1993. The Bears defeated the Falcons 6-0. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) drops back to pass against the Los Angeles Rams in Anaheim, CA, Dec. 5, 1988. The Rams defeated the Bears 23-3. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) prepares to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in Chicago, IL, Oct. 3, 1993. The Bears defeated the Falcons 6-0. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears center Jerry Fontenot (67) prepares to hike the ball to quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) during an NFL matchup with Atlanta Falcons in Chicago, IL, Sep. 27, 1992. The Bears defeated the Falcons 41-31. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) throws a pass before the game against the Seattle Seahawks in Chicago, IL, Sep. 9, 1990. The Bears defeated the Seahawks 17-0. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh (4) looks to the sidelines between plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Chicago, IL, Dec. 13, 1992. The Bears defeated the Steelers 30-6. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
But the highest-ranked member of the Chargers was none other than wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who put together a historic rookie season.
The Georgia product was one of only two players in the top 10 to be draft outside of the first round, as he became one of Justin Herbert's favorite targets in 2024.
McConkey was No. 6 on Fox Sports' list, as the talented rookie wide out quickly emerged as one of the most dependable receivers in the game.
They wrote:
McConkey was spectacular for the Chargers in his rookie season. Totaling 82 receptions for 1,149 yards — which each led the team — and seven touchdowns, he was quarterback Justin Herbert's No. 1 receiver. McConkey accounted for 31.2 [percent] of the Chargers' regular season passing yards. Then, in the Chargers' wild-card round loss to the Houston Texans, McConkey logged nine receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown, which was an 86-yard score.
To read the full list, click here.
